Does the law require schools to waive school fees for low-income students?

Yes. Ohio has a law that prohibits schools from charging general
school fees to students who qualify to receive free school meals
under the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of
1966. The Ohio law is found at Ohio Revised Code 3313.642.

The law applies to fees for "any materials needed to enable the
pupil to participate fully in a course of instruction." The law does
not apply to any fees schools might charge to participate in
extracurricular activities or other school-sponsored non-academic
activities (like school dances, carnivals, etc.).

Many schools in Ohio require parents to request that their child's school
fees be waived, so it may be your responsibility to call or visit the school to
find out the process for making sure you don't have to pay school fees for your child. The process
should be simple and information about it readily available. If you have any questions, you should call your
child's school office or your local Board of Education.

To find a civil legal aid provider, call

1.866.LAW.OHIO (1.866.529.6446)

For the hearing impaired:
Use this site to find the local
Ohio legal aid provider in your
area. Then, call the Ohio Relay
Service at 1-800-750-0750 and
ask the service operator to
connect you to the provider
you are trying to call.